Active Adult Communities

Retirement living for baby boomers with an active lifestyle

Active adult retirement communities also go by various other names such as resort communities, 55 plus, age restricted or adult lifestyle communities. These are ideal for seniors moving through the first phase of their retirement, when they still feel very independent and wish to retain control over most aspects of their lives. Active adult communities are well-suited to those who want to leave their retirement options open.

Most active adult communities are age-exclusive. The age of exclusion can be 50, 60 or 65. There are communities that do not exclude people on the basis of age.

Quite often, these communities are closed off or gated. They may also have on-site security and even health care. Typically, they are associated with amenities appealing to the newly retired. Features might include a country club, golf course, trails, swimming pool, tennis courts, spas, fitness centres and/or a variety of clubs. Active adult community residences may be suites or condominiums in a tower, detached units or town houses. Homes are typically smaller and simpler in design and are often bungalows.

Retirement living - without stigma
Active adult retirement communities are expected to be the biggest trend in retirement living over the next decade or so, as the baby boomers continue to move into retirement. This option appeals to aging baby boomers who want to pursue hobbies and activities they may have put off in the past. It also allows them to slow down just a bit and interact with people sharing their interests.

Active adult living is a recent innovation in retirement options, created by and for the baby boom generation. According to a 2005 survey, over 50% of respondents age 50-59 intend to buy a new retirement home. Active lifestyle retirement is significantly different from and more “independent” than the option typically called Independent Living Retirement Homes.

An interesting source of information on active adult reitrement communities for Ontario and Canada is Active Adult magazine. Active adult living is one of many choices you have in retirement homes in Canada.

Below is a list of Active Adult Living Retirement Homes

Number of matching homes found: 17